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Baked Cinnamon Apples - Simple, Cozy, and Comforting

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 6 medium apples (about 2 to 2.5 pounds). Good choices: Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, or a mix.
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted.
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar (light or dark). Adjust to taste.
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon.
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, but lovely).
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (or 2 teaspoons flour) to thicken the sauce.
  • 2 tablespoons water or apple cider.
  • Pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.
  • Optional add-ins: 1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, a handful of raisins, or a splash of bourbon.

Method
 

  1. Preheat and prep: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly butter a 9x13-inch baking dish or similar.
  2. Slice the apples: Peel if you prefer (not required), core, and slice into 1/2-inch wedges. Thicker slices hold their shape better.
  3. Mix the sauce: In a bowl, whisk melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, cornstarch, water or cider, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
  4. Combine: Add apple slices to the baking dish. Pour the sauce over and toss to coat evenly. Stir in nuts or raisins if using.
  5. Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil, stir gently, and bake uncovered for another 20–25 minutes, until the apples are tender and the sauce thickens and bubbles.
  6. Rest: Let the apples sit for 5–10 minutes. The sauce will thicken a bit more as it cools.
  7. Serve: Enjoy warm. Great with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, Greek yogurt, or over pancakes and oatmeal.